Popular mythology notwithstanding, the Liberty Bell wasn’t actually rung on July 4, 1776. But heck, it should have been. So, for once, this history teacher is siding with popular mythology.

Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.

Happy Independence Day to all our stateside readers!

It’s a bit of a damp one here—New England’s getting rain, rain, rain all day and all night from the tail end of an Atlantic hurricane. No cookouts or fireworks for us tonight! It’s all been postponed till tomorrow.

We’re celebrating a bit anyway. We’ll take turns reading the Declaration of Independence out loud tonight, and ring this vintage souvenir bell mightily when we get to John Hancock’s big fat signature at the bottom.